Stress: past paper questions
Real questions on stress
The newest 20 of 114 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 9990/32 · May/June 2026 · Q11a[4]
Suggest how Fatima’s stress could be treated using biofeedback.
See it on the paper → - 9990/41 · May/June 2026 · Q12b[4]
For one piece of psychological knowledge on which your plan is based: (i) Describe this psychological knowledge. (ii) Explain how you used two features of this psychological knowledge to plan your study.
See it on the paper → - 9990/41 · May/June 2026 · Q12b(ii)[4]
Explain how you used two features of this psychological knowledge to plan your study.
See it on the paper → - 9990/42 · May/June 2026 · Q4c[4]
Explain one strength and one weakness of using closed questions to investigate the experience of post-purchase cognitive dissonance. Health Psychology Answer all questions if you have studied this option.
See it on the paper → - 9990/43 · May/June 2026 · Q6a[2]
Outline the second phase of stress inoculation training.
See it on the paper → - 9990/43 · May/June 2026 · Q6b[2]
Suggest one closed question that could be asked to test the effectiveness of stress inoculation training.
See it on the paper → - 9990/43 · May/June 2026 · Q6c[4]
Explain one strength and one weakness of stress inoculation training. Organisational Psychology Answer all questions if you have studied this option.
See it on the paper → - 9990/43 · May/June 2026 · Q12b[4]
For one piece of psychological knowledge on which your plan is based: (i) Describe this psychological knowledge. (ii) Explain how you used two features of this psychological knowledge to plan your study.
See it on the paper → - 9990/43 · May/June 2026 · Q12b(ii)[4]
Explain how you used two features of this psychological knowledge to plan your study.
See it on the paper → - 9990/32 · February/March 2026 · Q9[4]
Rajeesh is undergoing medical treatment that he finds stressful. Suggest how relaxation and imagery could be used to reduce any stress that Rajeesh might experience during his medical treatment.
See it on the paper → - 9990/33 · October/November 2025 · Q2a[2]
Outline what is meant by ‘cultural differences’.
See it on the paper → - 9990/41 · October/November 2025 · Q5c[4]
Explain one strength and one weakness of using a sample of female participants in studies on reducing stress.
See it on the paper → - 9990/42 · October/November 2025 · Q6a[2]
Outline how one study used fear arousal to promote health (e.g. Janis and Feshbach, 1953).
See it on the paper → - 9990/42 · October/November 2025 · Q6b[2]
Suggest one way the fear arousal and providing information strategies could be used together to promote fire safety behaviour.
See it on the paper → - 9990/42 · October/November 2025 · Q6c[4]
Explain two weaknesses of using fear arousal to promote health. Organisational Psychology Answer all questions if you have studied this option.
See it on the paper → - 9990/43 · October/November 2025 · Q5c[4]
Explain one strength and one weakness of using a sample of female participants in studies on reducing stress.
See it on the paper → - 9990/43 · October/November 2025 · Q11a[10]
Plan an experiment to investigate the effectiveness of biofeedback to manage stress in university students. Your plan must include details about: • experimental design • dependent variable.
See it on the paper → - 9990/32 · May/June 2025 · Q9[4]
Isha has been experiencing stress at work. She worries about whether she will meet deadlines and whether the quality of her work is good enough. Suggest how stress inoculation training could help to reduce Isha’s stress at work.
See it on the paper → - 9990/33 · May/June 2025 · Q12a[6]
Describe the study by Bridge et al. (1988) on relaxation and imagery in reducing stress during medical treatment.
See it on the paper → - 9990/33 · May/June 2025 · Q12b[10]
Evaluate the study by Bridge et al., including a discussion about field experiments. Evaluation in your answer can include strengths, weaknesses and a discussion of issues and debates. Section D: Organisational Psychology Answer all questions.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Comprehensive responses • Candidates were able to describe how relaxation and imagery could be achieved. • Some went on to explain how this linked to physiological responses so explaining how stress was reduced. • Good links provided to help reduce Rajeesh’s stress during medical treatment. Limited responses • Some gave a very brief outline of what is meant by relaxation and/or imagery. • Some ca...
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 9990/32 Q9 (Cambridge)
Many responses achieved full marks by giving two correct physical effects of stress that Samay may be experiencing. Common responses included fatigue, weakened immune system, headaches and high blood pressure. Weaker responses gave incorrect physical effects and some identified psychological effects which was not creditworthy. Some candidates mentioned stomach ulcers. This is a persistent myth (st...
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9990/32 Q9(a) (Cambridge)
There were many strong responses to this question achieving full marks. Better responses linked the suggestion to one of the physical effects identified in part (a) and linked this directly to issues Samay may have at work. For example, a common physical effect chosen was fatigue. Responses outlined that he would find it difficult to arrive at work on time and/or difficult to concentrate while at...
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9990/32 Q9(b) (Cambridge)
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